Bowdoin College Department of Computer Science 
Spring 2002 Syllabus for CS 325 -- Cryptography and Network Security

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:

Instructor:  Stephen Majercik,  222 Searles Hall,  725-3106,  smajerci@bowdoin.edu

Office Hours:  M 10:00-11:30,  T 4:00-5:30,  W 9:30-11:00,  Th 3:30-5:00,  or by appointment

Class Meetings:  M/W 2:30-3:55 -- Searles 215

Group E-mail:  csci325@bowdoin.edu

Course Web Address:   www.bowdoin.edu/~smajerci/courses/cs325/admin/syllabus.html

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

CS 210 AND (Math 200 OR Math 228)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Homework	40%
Project	40%
Class Moderator	10%
Class Participation	10%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The smooth functioning of our society increasingly depends on the flow of information through computer networks. Problems of privacy, authenticity, and security of information have become extremely important, and cryptography is an essential tool in addressing these issues. This course will cover cryptographic techniques and their application to real-world network security problems. Topics will include mathematics of cryptography, cryptographic algorithms, computational issues in cryptography, real-world security systems, and social and political issues surrounding cryptography and security.

TEXTS:

William Stallings,   Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice, Second Edition,   Prentice-Hall,   1999. (required)

H. X. Mel and Doris Baker,   Cryptography Decrypted,   Addison-Wesley,  2001. (suggested)

Aviel D. Rubin,   White-Hat Security Arsenal: Tackling the Threats,   Addison-Wesley,  2001. (suggested)

COURSE TOPICS:

Threats to Security and Privacy in a Networked Society

Introduction to Conventional Cryptography

Stream Ciphers

Basic Mathematics

Public Key Cryptography

Digital Signatures

One-Way Hashing

Authentication and Identification

Email Security

Kerberos Authentication System

IP Security

Secure Socket Layer Protocol

Intruders and Viruses

Firewalls

 

HANDING IN ASSIGNMENTS AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the announced due date. The grade on a late assignment will be reduced by 5% for each day it is late, up to a maximum of 7 days late.

GROUP WORK:

All problem sets, programs, and other written materials must be original and may not be derived from any other sources. You are encouraged to discuss ideas and techniques broadly with other class members (general ideas, approaches, problem-solving techniques), but not specifics of assigned problems except as part of group projects. Discussions should be limited to questions that can be asked and answered without using any written medium (e.g. pencil-and-paper or email).